Marylebone High Street Ward Labour Action Report – September 2019

7th September, 2019

Marylebone High Street

Baker Street Two Way

We have asked the Baker Street Team to look into this issue:

“There is no signage indicating that the traffic on Portman Mews (just north of the Marks & Spencer at the corner of Oxford Street and Orchard Street) is now east to west, rather than west to east as it was for at least the last thirty years. Pedestrians on Orchard Street crossing this mews are given no indication that traffic (and bicycles) may be turning into the mews from Orchard Street: there are no ‘Look left’ or ‘Look right’ signs at the crossing.”

We received the following response:

“Portman Mews South was reversed to one way westbound during the two way switch of Baker Street and Gloucester Place. Additional safety measures were taken in preparation for the switch to two-way, including at the two junctions either side of Portman Mews South. This included temporary signage, semi-permanent two way and new road layout signage and pedestrian marshals.

In terms of permanent signs and road markings, Portman Mews currently has two illuminated ‘ONE WAY’ signs at its junction with Orchard Street and two illuminated ‘NO ENTRY’ signs at its junction with Portman Street. Uncontrolled crossings are commonly indicated (in most cases) with dropped kerbs to assist mobility reduced users. The use of tactile paving and ‘LOOK LEFT’ or ‘LOOK RIGHT’ road markings at uncontrolled crossings is not common practice.”

Paddington street public toilets

We have asked the Council for an explanation why the public toilets on Paddington Street were again closed recently. Residents say:

“The WCs on Paddington Street have been closed since last week, with no notice or signage to explain why – would you be able to look into this please? There are many visitors in the area and of course the park, so it is causing considerable inconvenience (no pun intended!). As you may recall, this has happened before to these WCs – left locked by mistake, and it has then taken some months to get them reopened.”

The Council say:

“We are informed by Carlisle that Thames Water were on site last week and damaged the water tank. The issue has been reported and Thames Water are expected back at site to fix the problem.This means that the facilities should reopen soon.”

York Mansions, Chiltern Street

We continue to press the Housing Department to complete the major works at York Mansion. Residents say:

“The York Mansion project has been going on and disrupting the lives of residents for 8 years. The chaos of planning and delivering the resurfacing of the balcony continues. The original resurfacing of the balconies started in December 2015, this resurfacing failed and was highlighted for snagging work. The rectification works to the third and fourth floor balconies started on June 26th 2019 and this work also failed. The last letter to residents dated 23rd July said WCC managers had met the manufacturers and installers and would agree a way forward and provide details. It’s now mid August and residents still haven’t been informed as to what is happening.”